Globe Hopper

Why I will miss South Korea

shenaz — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:37:00 GMT

It is well over a month since I returned from South Korea and I have to admit it was difficult adjusting to South African life again. It took about a whole week before I could accept that I live in SA and have to accept the way things are. This is what I miss most about South Korea:

1) Kimbab

I have made known from the onset that I had fallen in love with Kimbab and although I came to Joburg and frantically searched for a Korean restaurant that sold Kimbab it was not the same as I tasted in Korea as they only make vegetarian ones. So, I will miss the meat filled Kimbab that I found in Busan.

2) Public Transport

Well, South Africa doesn’t have a public transport system that works and if one is without a car in Joburg then one is doomed. So is it a wonder that I miss being able to go anywhere at any part of the day or night using public transport?

3) Clean and organised cities

I have mentioned before that people in Asia just clean and clean. I will certainly miss this in South Africa where people litter at whim even though there are trash-cans/bins provided. People are under the impression that if they throw litter on the ground they are creating jobs for people. Quite sickening! I will also miss the way pedestrians are trained to walk, if going north keep left and if going south keep right. Quite fascinating!

) Great people and great service.

Obviously many people don’t speak English so communication is a problem but the people that I encountered were so warm and friendly and went out of their way to assist me.

a) The sweet ladies at the bank changed my currency although they couldn’t speak English and I couldn’t speak Korean yet they were friendly and helpful.

b) When I went to a store to purchase a jacket and boots, the lady in the shoe aisle stopped everything to assist me with finding the correct pair of shoes and the ladies in the jacket section brought out all the sizes of the jackets on promotion without ever being irate with me. Then after purchasing the jacket an old lady ran upto us just as we were leaving the store because she remembered that there was a pin on the inside of the jacket and came to remove it as she didn’t want me to get hurt. Initially I thought it was hilarious when this woman ran after us as we left the store but I have never come across customer service like that.

c) The generosity and kindness of people were staggering. In all the restaurants we didn’t pay for starters or salads. They were free every single time. Even when I visited the market I was told I didn’t have to pay for a souvenir as it was a gift or I got a discount on stuff I purchased. This was the norm throughout Busan, no wonder there were no beggars on the streets because these people are too kind to let that happen.

5) Great food and amazing restaurants

I think I miss the food the most as there were a plethora of restaurants to choose from and a variety of cuisines. I am struggling to find burritos in Joburg. Oh! I so miss the food in Korea and being spoilt with choice. I will let the pictures do the talking for this one.

Photos: South Korea

shenaz — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:33:00 GMT

Busan

5 Things to do in Hong Kong in a day.

shenaz — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:14:00 GMT

Hong Kong has a very busy airport which is a hub of activity with many connecting flights occurring from this airport. But, did you know that there is no visa required nor are there any fees for tourists? Now for South Africans, from whom many countries require visas, this is an absolute delight.

Furthermore, the whole city has all signs in English and they have information stations with English speaking people to assist. From the airport one can easily commute to the city with buses, taxis or the easiest way which is the Airport Express train which goes directly to Hong Kong Central and a return ticket costs HK$100.

So if you have a connecting flight and have a long time to wait why not take a quick tour of the city?

Here are some of the things that can be done whilst awaiting the next flight:

The IFC Mall- This is the last destination of the train that departs from the airport. Just step out of the train and you are on the doorstep of the luxurious IFC Mall. The Mall is Oval shaped and is built above road level, quite fascinating. You could do some shopping, eat at a restaurant or even watch a movie.

Hong Kong Bus Tour-From the mall (just past the Apple store) there is a bridge that leads to Victoria Harbour. At this street there are red buses lined up and tickets are about HK$120. This tour is about 45minutes and goes to all the streets in the city. It is good to have a bird’s eye view of what the city is like. Take along head phones because there is commentary available in 10 different languages.

Maritime Museum-This museum is situated right where the bus tour is and if you are into museums and ships this museum offers a real treat. The entry fee is only HK$30 and it is all about the history of China from as far back as the first vessel. Then it goes through the changes in history through the various vessels and steam liners. There are also amazing views of the harbour from the museum. A gift shop is also available.

Ferry ride- The ferry ride costs about HK$5, which is very cheap but it basically takes you to the other side of the harbor. If you have alot more time then you could opt to go on the island tour which is about HK$200.

Victoria Harbour- If you don’t want to do anything then just go sit at the park overlooking the ocean with all the ships and boats. When I visited there was an orchestra practising music. It is just way better to sit at the harbour which is peaceful than waiting at the airport. And from here just head back to the mall to take the train back to the airport. The airport offers a shower facility for HK$180 and a nap room which costs HK$600 for 3 hours. There is also a luggage storage facility which costs HK$10 per item per hour.

Hong Kong has become one of my favourite cities in the world and I would recommend it as an affordable yet extravagant holiday destination.

Photos: Hong Kong

shenaz — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:10:00 GMT

Hong Kong

Memoirs of a child’s first travel experience.

shenaz — Thu, 15 May 2014 06:24:05 GMT

I’ll never forget the day that I was introduced to the world of traveling...

I was only 5years old and had no idea that I was about to be given a gift more precious than the pretty doll in my hand, a gift that would shape my mind and broaden the experiences of life forever, the gift called Traveling.

Our journey by train began from Durban to Cape Town and everyone was enraptured in the excitement. As we made ourselves comfortable in the 6sleeper cabin the Trans Karoo meandered its way passing the Orange River and Karoo Desert in a 40hour journey before reaching Cape Town. I awoke the next morning wondering what the rest of the day held aboard the moving train but the heat was unbearable. With not knowing what to really do with myself I affixed myself to the window and watched the outside from the speeding train. I was shocked at the sight of many animals lying dead from the merciless heat of the desert and this had to be the worst part of my trip.

The next morning we all awoke early and awaited our destination: Cape Town. When we had settled into the hotel I took a peek outside and I summoned everyone to the window to look at the horse pulling a cart which is not found in urban cities. The next days were filled with great adventure in this city that had things I had never experienced before. I was amazed that a bus could have another one on top of it. We were headed for Table Mountain in a cable car. I had never seen anything quite like a mountain before: it had its foot plunged in the sea and its nose up in the sky and it was strong and majestic. It was hard and rigid and felt like eons of years old. We ate at a restaurant located on the top of the mountain where I learnt how to eat with a fork and knife and I saw lots of squirrels.

We also went to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which is so stunning that just basking in its beauty leaves one agape. The panoramic view of the flower beds, trees and waterfalls lies against the mountain which cranes up into the azure skies creating a portrait of resplendence. Next, we visited Simonstown, SA Museum, Cape Point, vineyards and many more.
My first traveling trip changed me and allowed me to absorb the beauty of different cultures and to build bridges of friendships and appreciate diverse people. The greatest gift my parents gave me was the gift of travel.